Life and Religion

This time, I’m sharing nine principles from Les Brown’s book, “It’s Not Over Until You Win!”

His first principle serves as a reminder how each of us can achieve far beyond our horizons and in avenues of life we have never explored; or renew our minds daily with new knowledge.

Many people never really know the full range of their potential, and too often they limit themselves to what they have seen others accomplish rather than assuming that they have unlimited potential; we were created by God, who is all knowing.

Horizon in reality means prospects, possibilities; to broaden our horizons would make our limits extend further than the norm. From a mental perspective, it means to look outside the box and approach things in a different way.

Sometimes it’s best to live life with persistence and patience with the unlimited vision of a child who thinks everything is possible unless shown otherwise. Children learn fairy tales; they dream; and research has proven that children who dream the most and enjoy fairy tales dream bigger as adults.

Fairy tales communicate strong, unconscious messages to children in terms they can grasp and even carry into adulthood. This is because these stories possess genuine resonance and dreamlike power. Fairy tales develop a child’s imagination.

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking,” said Albert Einstein.

After all, you can’t expect to reach beyond your horizons if your vision is limited to your own backyard.

Back in the 1970s when I was married, my husband and I decided to relocate. We moved from Washington, D.C., to California. Traveling across America was a new horizon for me. He had seen the world as a U.S. Marine, including Vietnam; as we drove across country, for me, America didn’t look familiar at all. Having only seen what’s between Kinston, N.C., and Washington, D.C. with a couple trips to New York. That was it for me. But this trip across country, heading toward the West Coast truly broadened my horizons.

You have to be committed to continued growth, to expanding your life by pushing your talents and constantly testing them to discover new outlets and sources of energy.

Set goals without limits

Let me make this simple: Once you set your goals, find persons who are already doing what it is you want to do; become a student and learn everything you can from them, be like a sponge, soaking up all you can; you will be taking your life to new heights!

While working under the tutelage of Les Brown, everything I did for him was another lesson in how to move my own dreams forward. It has taken more than 10 years to figure this thing out; but what I’ve learned under Mr. Brown continues to change the course of my life.

The experience of watching Les Brown, Willie Jolley and other speakers during my training was intimidating; yet today, I’m able to achieve new horizons for myself because my world has become a much larger place. I was shaking in my shoes during training, afraid to get up to make my presentation when it was my turn. My mind was being renewed.

Though it has taken a decade for me to finally get it, I’m now ready, willing and able. Why? Because I did exactly what this principle says about achieving beyond your own horizons.

Scripture reminds us in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Lyndia Grant is a radio talk show host in Washington, D.C. Visit her website at www.lyndiagrant.com.